Washer system and pump for same

ABSTRACT

A pump for a washer system includes a housing enclosing a motor driven pump and providing first and second outlets. First and second check valves are fluidly connected to and downstream from the first and second outlets. In one example, the first and second check valves are arranged in the housing. The check valves are configured such that one of the check valves is open to provide the fluid through the one of the outlets while the other check valve is closed to block fluid through the other of the outlets. In operation, a pumping element is rotated to pump fluid through an open first check valve, with the second check valve in the closed position. Reversing rotation of the pumping element pumps fluid through an open second check valve with the first check valve in the closed position.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a washer system and a pump. The disclosure also relates to a method of delivering fluid within a washer system.

Washer systems, such as those used in vehicles, have become increasingly complex. A typical modern washer system provides washer fluid to multiple components, such as the front and rear vehicle glass. One approach to providing washer fluid to multiple locations uses a single pump driven by a reversible motor. Two outlets are provided in a housing that encloses the motor which drives a pumping element. Each outlet is supplies washer fluid to one of the components. The user changes the polarity of the power provided to the motor using one or more switches to select a rotational direction of the motor that corresponds to fluid delivery to one of the components.

It is desirable to block the unused outlet while fluid is pumped through the other outlet. In one example configuration, a valve assembly is provided between the outlets. One example valve assembly includes a diaphragm arranged between the outlets and supports a structure on each of its opposing sides. Rotation of the pump in a particular direction causes the fluid to move the diaphragm and block the unused outlet, which prevents air from being ingested into the pump through the unused outlet. Additionally, the translation of the diaphragm can create a spitting effect out of the nozzle as the diaphragm vibrates, which is undesirable to some customers.

SUMMARY

A pump for a washer system includes a housing enclosing a motor driven pump and providing first and second outlets. First and second check valves are fluidly connected to and downstream from the first and second outlets. In one example, the first and second check valves are arranged in the housing. The check valves are configured such that one of the check valves is open to provide the fluid through the one of the outlets while the other check valve is closed to block fluid through the other of the outlets. In operation, a pumping element is rotated to pump fluid through an open first check valve, with the second check valve in the closed position. Reversing rotation of the pumping element pumps fluid through an open second check valve with the first check valve in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be further understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of an example washer system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example pump for a washer system.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the pump taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the pump taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A washer system 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The system 10 includes a pump 12 having a motor 14 driving a pumping element 18 via a shaft 16. In one example, the pumping element 18 is an impeller. The pump 12 includes first and second outlets 20, 22 that selectively provide washer fluid to first and second components 24, 26, which may correspond respectively to front and rear glass of a vehicle. First and second fluid circuits 30, 32 are respectively connected to the first and second outlets 20, 22. Nozzles 28 are provided in each of the first and second circuits 30, 32 to spray washer fluid onto the first and second components 24, 26. The pump 12 draws washer fluid through its inlet 21 from a fluid reservoir 23.

A power source 34 is operatively electrically connected to the pump 12 through a switch 36. Although the switch 36 is illustrated as a single switch in FIG. 1, the switch 36 typically comprises multiple switches that are independently operable from one another. For illustrative purposes, the switch 36 includes first and second polarity positions 38, 40. The first polarity position 38 rotates the motor 14 and the associated pumping element 18 in a first rotational direction, and the second polarity position 40 rotates the motor 14 in the opposite direction to reverse the rotation of the pumping element 18.

First and second check valves 42, 44 are respectively associated with the first and second outlets 20, 22. The first and second check valves 42, 44 prevent fluid from being delivered to the nozzles 28 until a predetermined minimum pressure has been reached. The first and second check valves 42, 44 are discrete, separate elements from one another. A housing 46 encloses the motor 14 and pumping element 18. The housing 46 typically comprises multiple components secured to one another.

In the example illustrated in the FIGS. 2-4, the first and second check valve 42, 44 are integral with the housing 46. The first and second check valves 42, 44 are enclosed by the housing 46. That is, no flexible hoses are arranged between the first and second check valves 42, 44 and the first and second outlets 20, 22 such that the first and second check valves 42, 44 are in close proximity to the pumping element 18. Thus, the housing 46, motor 14, pumping element 18 and first and second check valves 42, 44 are integrated to provide a unitary, preassembled component. The first and second check valves 42, 44 may be non-integral with the housing 46 and connected to the outlets by flexible hose, for example, at some position between the pumping element 18 and nozzles 28 and in close proximity to the pump 12 to prevent drain back. In any event, no diaphragm is used between the first and second outlets 20, 22.

The first and second check valves 42, 44, which are normally closed, are configured such that one of the first and second check valves 42, 44 is open to provide the fluid through the one of the first and second outlets 20, 22 while the other of the first and second check valves 42, 44 is closed to block fluid through the other of the first and second outlets 20, 22. The first and second check valves 40, 42 are respectively fluidly connected between the first and second outlets 20, 22 and the pumping element 18. In operation, the pumping element 18 is rotated to pump fluid through an open first check valve 42, with the second check valve 44 in the closed position. Reversing rotation of the pumping element 18 pumps fluid through an open second check valve 44 with the first check valve 42 in the closed position. The first and second check valves 42, 44 may be any suitable configuration. In one example, a ball and spring check valve arrangement may be used. Other types of check valves, such as diaphragm-type check valves may be used. Furthermore, the closing forces of the check valves may be customized for each fluid circuit and different than one another.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the example housing 46 includes first, second, third and fourth housing portions 50, 52, 54 and 55. An electrical connector 49 is provided on the first housing portion 50 to provide electrical communication with the motor 14. The first and second housing portions 50, 52 enclose the motor 14. The second housing portion 52 provides a cavity 60 within which the pumping element 18 is disposed and to which the first and second outlets 20, 22 are connected. Alternatively, another housing portion may be used to enclose the pumping element 18 and provide the inlet 21.

The second housing portion 52 provides stems 56 that provide the first and second outlets 20, 22. The third and fourth housing portions 54, 55 respectively house the first and second check valves 42, 44. In the example shown, the check valve housings, provided by the third and fourth housing portions 54, 55, are secured to and supported on the stems 56. The third and fourth housing portions 54, 55 provide barbs 58 to which flexible hose from the first and second fluid circuits 30, 32 may be connected. It should be understood that the housing portions may be configured in a manner other than depicted in the Figures. Fewer or greater number of housing portions may be used. The housing portions may be constructed from plastic or metal pieces fused and/or snapped together.

No valve assembly, including a diaphragm is used, which provides a simpler pump that is not subject to undesired spitting. No additional separate check valves are required in the washer system 10. The check valves maintain the washer fluid within the fluid circuits, thereby preventing fluid drain back and better enabling the washer system to meet customer or regulatory requirements for providing washer fluid to flow quickly to the nozzles.

Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of the claims. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pump for a washer system comprising: a housing providing first and second outlets; a motor driven pumping element arranged within the housing, the motor configured to be reversible enabling the pumping element to selectively pump fluid through one of the outlets; and first and second check valves respectively in fluid communication with the first and second outlets and arranged in the housing, and configured such that one of the check valves is open to provide the fluid through the one of the outlets while the other check valve is closed to block fluid through the other of the outlets.
 2. The pump according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes multiple housing portions secured to one another, a first housing portion providing a cavity within which the pumping element is disposed, the first and second outlets in fluid communication with the cavity.
 3. The pump according to claim 2, wherein the housing includes second and third housing portions respectively enclosing the first and second check valves and secured to the first housing portion.
 4. The pump according to claim 1, wherein pump is without a diaphragm arranged between the first and second outlets, and the first and second check valves are normally closed.
 5. The pump according to claim 1, wherein the housing, motor, pumping element, first and second check valves are integrated to provide a unitary, preassembled component.
 6. A washer pump system comprising: a housing providing first and second outlets; a motor driven pumping element arranged within the housing, the motor configured to be reversible enabling the pumping element to selectively pump fluid through one of the outlets; and first and second check valves respectively fluidly connected to the first and second outlets, the first and second check valves respectively fluidly between the first and second outlets and the pumping element, and configured such that one of the check valves is open to provide the fluid through the one of the outlets while the other check valve is closed to block fluid through the other of the outlets.
 7. The washer pump system according to claim 6, wherein the housing, motor, pumping element, first and second check valves are integrated to provide a unitary, preassembled component.
 8. The washer pump system according to claim 6, comprising first and second components, and first and second fluid circuits respectively fluidly connected to the first and second outlets and configured to spray fluid respectively on the first and second components.
 9. The washer pump system according to claim 8, comprising a switching element electrically connected to the motor and configured to reverse the polarity of power provided to the motor to a desired rotational direction of the motor and selectively deliver fluid to one of the first and second components.
 10. The washer pump system according to claim 6, wherein the first and second check valves respectively include first and second closing forces that are different than one another.
 11. The washer pump system according to claim 6, wherein the first and second check valves provide normally closed positions.
 12. A method of pumping washer fluid comprising the steps of: providing first and second check valves associated with the first and second outlets of a pump, the first and second check valves having normally closed positions; rotating a pumping element to pump fluid through an open first check valve, with the second check valve in the closed position; and reversing rotation of the pumping element to pump fluid through an open second check valve with the first check valve in the closed position.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the reversing step includes changing a polarity of power provided to the pump.
 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the rotating step includes delivering fluid to a front vehicle glass, and the reversing step includes delivering fluid to a rear vehicle glass. 